'TOP MOVIES' LIST

This is a list of top movies which tell great stories in an engaging and often inspirational way. Most of all this best movies list only includes the films which are so memorable, you'll want to watch over and over again. The top 3 are: The World's Fastest Indian, Big Wednesday and The Intouchables.

As the film Titanic ended, everyone in the packed movie theatre sat motionless in hushed silence. A girl suddenly erupted into a choking cascade of tears while the rest of us madly fought back ours. James Cameron’s impossible dream had come to fruition leaving a global audience spellbound. Many would go on to see it multiple times at the cinema and experience the full thrust of James Cameron’s exquisite poetry in motion.

Titanic is an epic masterpiece about the beautiful but engaged aristocrat Rose meeting and falling in love with struggling artist Jack aboard the decadent unsinkable ship, Titanic, on its maiden voyage.

The talented Leonardo Di Caprio and radiant Kate Winslet literally sparkle onscreen as spirited Rose and irresistible Jack with an incandescent chemistry that is fascinating to watch. Not only is their relationship believable but it is life-changing for both of them.

Witty dialogue, fiery characters, a glorious luxury setting, heartfelt love story and the impending disaster as the Titanic looms closer to a massive iceberg keep the audience hypnotized until well after the credits roll to a gut-wrenching soundtrack.

Being the researcher, writer, director, producer and editor, James Cameron was able to plaster his captivating vision across every aspect of the film. The pieces all fit together beautifully and the diamond clad storyline and characters are a testament to Cameron’s tireless work ethic on this film both well before, during and after production.

In fact, the history of the making of this film and how
James Cameron sacrificed everything he had physically, mentally and financially
(forfeiting his director fees and his profit sharing points), essentially
working himself into the ground for no pay over three years to finish the film,
is an inspiring story in itself.

Cameron’s passionate unwavering belief in his vision saw him
fight as though it was a life and death situation to finish the film (and
perhaps for him, it was). To understand
Cameron’s attachment to story and the making of this movie, it is relevant to
remember that long before production began, James Cameron made his first dive
to the actual 1912 Titanic shipwreck and was so emotionally affected he shed
tears.

Cameron’s connection with the personal stories of the
individuals who perished when the Titanic unexpectedly sunk in 1912 is
powerfully reflected in the movie and goes further to explain why he was able
to write and direct such an emotionally stirring film.

I have never seen so many people leave a cinema so affected
after Titanic first screened. The mood
was accentuated by the haunting Titanic theme song that sounded throughout the
credits.

When Titanic was finally released and became the highest grossing movie ever at the time, it was only right that Fox eventually made the decision to gift Cameron a large figure (tens of millions) to compensate him for all his effort - no doubt to ensure he would work with them again in the future.

It was a good decision by Fox, because James Cameron created and directed Avatar for Fox in 2009, which smashed box office records once again and grossed over two billion dollars world-wide.

Titanic (1997):Written and Directed by James Cameron,
Produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau, Edited by James Cameron, Richard
Harris and Conrad Bluff, Music by James Horner, Cinematography by Russell
Carpenter, Starring Kate Winslet, Leonardo Di Caprio, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates,
Bill Paxton.

The book ‘Titanic and the Making of James Cameron’ is an absolute gem and a must-read for anyone interested in the hell James Cameron went through to get this film to the screen and the sacrifices he made that drained the life out of him in the end.

To quote the books blurb on the back cover: ‘this is the story of obsession, passion and one man’s visionary quest for perfection’.

Cameron invited Paula Parisi to document the three year making of the film and this book is a result. I personally found it very revealing and highly recommend it.

MORE TOP MOVIES REVIEWS:

The World's Fastest Indian is an inspirational story based on the true life of gutsy old codger Burt Munro and his dream to take part in Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah with his ancient Indian scout motorcycle...

Having been a teenage rock journalist for Rolling Stone magazine, writer/director Cameron Crowe’s inside knowledge of the subject matter, infiltrates every aspect of the screenplay, resulting in a charismatic intriguing film which ...

As the film Titanic ended, everyone in the packed movie theatre sat motionless in hushed silence. A girl suddenly erupted into a choking cascade of tears while the rest of us madly fought back ours. James Cameron’s impossible dream had come to fruition leaving a global audience spellbound. Many would ..

Fiery chemistry between an arrogant ex ice hockey star from a working class background and a rich snobby figure skater set the screen ablaze with a tension that spans the entire film. The Cutting Edge showcases some gripping chemistry between D.B. Sweeney (Doug) and Moira Kelly (Kate) as they strut their stuff both on and off the ice...

Soaked with gut wrenching scenes of the atrocities of war, unbridled greed, fierce love, and unstoppable determination, this movie takes viewers on a gripping and powerful journey which is poignant, electrifying and educational. Those who were previously not aware of the violence and slavery...

The Intouchables is an original, uplifting comedy-drama based on the true story of an unlikely friendship between disabled millionaire aristocrat Phillipe, and Driss, a poor, ex-con immigrant. Two men from different realms marginalised by society for different reasons find a connection with each other which changes...

Set in the California surf culture over a twelve year period in the sixties and seventies, Big Wednesday follows the lives of three surf buddies whose lives are in the midst of massive change. It has been described as an accurate depiction of the surf culture in California during that period, which is not surprising given Writer/Director John Milius was a surfer in Malibu, and the inspiration for the film was...